(SALT LAKE CITY, Utah) – Governor Gary R. Herbert issued the following statement regarding the State Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) decision to lease the Book Cliffs area for oil and gas development:

“SITLA’s decision to lease the entire Book Cliffs block could be at the expense of a more vital and potentially more valuable land management strategy. I expect SITLA to honor its fiduciary responsibility to Utah’s school children. However, I call on SITLA to live up to that obligation and find the best, long-term agreement that will return the greatest possible revenue to the school trust. I am confident a better process will result in a better outcome that serves all concerned. I urge SITLA to reconsider this critical decision and not execute a contract on these terms.”

(SALT LAKE CITY, Utah) – Governor Gary R. Herbert issued the following statement regarding the State Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) decision to lease the Book Cliffs area for oil and gas development:

“SITLA’s decision to lease the entire Book Cliffs block could be at the expense of a more vital and potentially more valuable land management strategy. I expect SITLA to honor its fiduciary responsibility to Utah’s school children. However, I call on SITLA to live up to that obligation and find the best, long-term agreement that will return the greatest possible revenue to the school trust. I am confident a better process will result in a better outcome that serves all concerned. I urge SITLA to reconsider this critical decision and not execute a contract on these terms.”